Psoralen
/ˈsɔːr.ə.lən/noun
A naturally occurring or synthetic furanocoumarin compound that reacts with ultraviolet light and is used in some photochemotherapy treatments.
Did you know?Psoralens occur in plants such as Psoralea and can intercalate with DNA before UVA exposure, forming bonds that inhibit cell replication—a controlled effect exploited in PUVA therapy.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ψώρα (psṓra)
“Itch, mange, or scabies”
18th Century
New Latin
Psoralea
“A botanical genus name, derived from Greek psṓra and referring to plants associated with a rough or diseased-looking surface”
19th Century
Botanical Latin
Psoralea corylifolia
“The scientific name of a plant later recognized as a natural source of psoralen compounds”
1930s
Scientific English
psoralen
“A chemical name formed from Psoralea with a chemical suffix, referring to the plant-derived furanocoumarin nucleus”
Modern English
English
psoralen
“A compound activated by long-wave ultraviolet light and used in photochemical research and PUVA treatment”